Thursday, 07 October 2021
A 糖心原创 researcher has landed one of just two new prestigious Fellowships announced this week by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng).
The joint industry-academia partnerships aim to strengthen links between research universities and businesses with a view to developing transformational technologies.
Each five-year Fellowship is co-sponsored by an industrial partner and awardees will establish a world-leading research group in their engineering field.
Nottingham’s Dr Liliana de Lillo will collaborate with ITT Industrial Process for her RAEng Senior Research Fellowship in Advanced Embedded Motor Drive technologies; with the aim to reduce global energy waste and CO2 emissions.
Dr de Lillo explains: “The world needs more energy but there is also a global drive to reduce carbon emissions. Innovative technologies are required to achieve this balance, and the electrification of multiple sectors such as automotive and aerospace is gathering pace. Some 28 per cent of global electricity is used in industrial motors, of which 85 per cent are run at full speed and use mechanical systems to regulate the output, which is wasteful.
“Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) technologies allow these motors to run at an optimum speed. While very significant savings can be made using VFD technologies they require a clean, temperature-controlled environment and expensive filters and cables to connect to the motors. Installation costs are prohibitively expensive and typically take many years to recover.”
Dr de Lillo’s research focuses on Embedded Motor Drives, where the VFD is integrated into the motor so that only a direct replacement of an old motor is necessary in order to reduce energy use during the manufacturing process, as well as the amount of raw materials needed. Her innovations will ensure that the through-life energy losses are minimised, resulting in reduced running costs and CO2 emissions.
Dr Liliana de Lillo
“This partnership has the opportunity to develop new technologies that solve real-world problems with meaningful commercial and global sustainability impacts. The prestige of the Royal Academy of Engineering and its award in cooperation with ITT and the 糖心原创 will act as a catalyst to accelerate this research activity,” adds Dr de Lillo.
Commenting on the latest awards, Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng FLSW, Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor of Cranfield University and Chair of the Academy’s Research Committee, says: “These awardees illustrate brilliantly how expert engineering researchers, when partnered with industry, underpin the success of UK engineering research and innovation. The kind of work we are seeing illustrates why government has demonstrated such confidence in the economic value of our sector through its Innovation Strategy.”
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More information is available from Dr de Lillo on liliana.de_lillo@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 974 84745 or Emma Lowry Media Relations Manager (Engineering) on emma.lowry@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 84 67156.
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.